Montauk,New York

Geographically, Gurney’s Inn Resort & Spa is probably the closest point on the US mainland to Italy and Executive Chef Christopher Von Eissler took a packed dining room even closer gastronomically, when they experienced an old fashioned Venetian style dinner accompanied by well chosen Italian wines from the House of Burgundy.

Von Eissler explained to us how Venetian food has been influenced over the centuries by the varied cultures of the people traveling through the region on their journeys to the east and west.

The undoubted highlights for us were the Old World Polenta Board where polenta was spread on a large wooden board on each table and grilled vegetables and chicken ragu placed on top. You attack this by drawing off what you require with pieces of crusty peasant bread and with it we ate the famous Risi e Bisi (rice and peas). The Mionetto blend of Chardonnay and Prosecco was a perfect complement as was the big, intense Amarone Villalta that we drank with a heavenly, melt in the mouth plate of Osso Bucco as the main course of this sumptuous spread.

This was a wine dinner to remember, so keep a watch on their website - www.gurneys-inn.com for the next wine dinners at this wonderful spot. A tip, pamper yourselves and stay the night. The rooms have been refurbished to a very high standard, the staff are friendly and welcoming and the scenery at any time of the year is superb. The spa, the only true Thalasso therapy one in the whole of the US, is truly world class, so you can exercise and justify your calorific indulgences.

John Lomitola Dining room Director Gurney's Inn commented "Some people even sought me out the next day to convey their delight with the 'A Night in Venice' wine pairing dinner.

Chris Corsano, regional representative for The House of Burgundy, a well-focused importer with a distinguished portfolio of international wines, remarked "this dinner was well attended with over 80 attendees. The turn out was fantastic for this time of the year. The House of Burgundy plans to conduct a series of exciting wine dinners at Long Island's best restaurants during the coming months. I consider wine "a food group" and joining forces with great restaurants like the Gurney's Inn is a fantastic way to demonstrate the awesome flavors possible from a great wine!"

For information about future House of Burgundy tastings email Chris Corsano: ccorsano@longislandwinecountry.com

RB